Lil' Kim didn't bounce

Lil' Kim has slammed claims she 'paid' staff with invalid cheques before going to jail.

The hip-hop star, currently serving a year-and-a-day prison term for lying to a grand jury, is alleged to have deliberately written cheques to a crew hired to shoot a music video for her last month with the knowledge they would bounce.

Kim, real name Kimberly Jones, has refuted the claims, insisting Kirk Fraser, the director, and his company May 3rd Films are responsible for any unpaid monies.

The rapper's spokeswoman, Tracy Nguyen, said in a statement: "Any reports of Lil' Kim personally bouncing cheques is untrue.

"Atlantic Records on behalf of Lil' Kim have fulfilled their financial obligations to Kirk Fraser and May 3rd Films to date. Money owed by Fraser or his company to pay its staff is not Lil' Kim's responsibility.

"Kim has expressed deep concern about the situation. She thanks everyone involved in the project for their hard work and hopes that May 3rd Films will resolve this urgent matter."

The video's producer Heidi Tannenbaum is now threatening to take Fraser and his company to court if the 50 staff are not paid soon.